Comparison of i-gel™, LMA Proseal™ and LMA Classic™ in spontaneously breathing pediatric patients

Abstract

Introduction of new supraglottic devices (SGD’s) has changed the era of airway management in children due to ease of insertion, easy learning curve and ease to ventilate at peak airway pressure without gastric distention. Previous randomised studies1,2 have established the safety of Proseal LMA (PLMA) in children. It is now considered premier SGD in children and has set a bench mark in second generation devices. I-gel circumvents the cuff related problems of above devices as its anatomic seal is made of thermoplastic elastomer. The airway seal improves as it slowly adapts to the temperature of body. Its elliptical shape minimise axial rotation and improves stability.3,4,5 Despite its advantages there are a few studies comparing Classic LMA (CLMA) and PLMA with i-gel in children.
The aim of our study was to compare the clinical performance between CLMA, PLMA Proseal and i-gel in spontaneously ventilating children. Our primary objective was to compare oropharyngeal seal pressure and secondary objective was to compare insertion parameters, mean duration of insertion, gastric tube placement and haemodynamic parameters.